I read a note Elizabeth Zimmermann wrote when she sent a gift for our newborn son...a Baby Surprise Jacket.  A Pipeliner, Linda from NH, expresses her passion for our beloved craft of knitting. I clarify the process of threading beads onto yarn for the crochet beaded bind off from last week's show. In response to Irene's question, I talk about how I organize my stash and tell a story about the era of cardboard boxes for stash storage and a teenage son. Nature Notes:  John James Audubon.  In Needle Notes we discuss selecting yarn for our Norwegian Sweater KAL and I ask for your input on knitting hats for a friend who is in chemotherapy.  Finally we conclude with an update on Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums which is preparing for the annual Burns Supper.  Musical Selection is from Shira Kammen's CD "A Celebration of Robert Burns", "Flow Gently Sweet Afton."  The show is sponsored by my business:  www.longaberger.com/paula

Pipeliners chime in on the wearing of ponchos and whether men can wear shawls.  A winner is announced for the prize of 3 patterns from Stephen West of Westknits.  The American Bald Eagle is the topic in nature notes.  In Needle Notes I share my finished Citron, a pattern by Hilary Smith Callis, with a crocheted beaded edging from the book Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting by Lorna Miser.  I also review the book by Lorna Miser and announce a new drawing for a signed copy of the book, donated by the author.  Leave a comment in the show blog to enter.  In the Blethering Room I share more "No Purl Designs" suggested by our listeners.  Finally, some ideas about the Norwegian KAL which will start in a few weeks.

Show notes are at www.knittingpipeline.blogspot.com. It is the winter solstice as view nature from my window. Pipeliner emails ask me about males wearing shawls and the definition of shawl and scarf.  Another Pipeliner asked me whether she should knit a poncho...are ponchos in or out?  Also a few comments on Holiday 2010 Vogue Knitting, more no-purl patterns, needle notes that include a finished Shizuku scarf by Angela Tong and more Those Mitts by Leslie Friend, and the announcement of a new knitting podcast, Clothed in the Lamb by Janeen.  Plus a good chuckle provided by a good friend.  Merry Christmas and thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast in the first 6 months!  Check the show blog for a wonderful pipe, drum, and Highland Dance greeting from our friends, The Dutch Pipes and Drums.

Wristers, muffatees, and fingerless mitts are handcoverings that leave the fingers free. We explore a bit of the background of wristers and muffatees.  Finished projects this wee are Fetching by Cheryl Niamath and Those Mitts by Leslie Friend (3 pair).  I share some wrister patterns that are in the pipeline.  The winner of the Quince and Co. giveaway is announced.  Our new giveaway is 3 patterns of your choice from Stephen West of Westknits.  The show is sponsored by my Longaberger Home Business www.longaberger.com/paula.  Show notes are found at www.knittingpipeline.blogspot.com.

Pipeliners share ideas about shawls and I add a few of my own.  Leave a comment on the show blog www.knittingpipeline.blogspot.com to be in a drawing for a fantastic prize from Quince & Co.  I share two finished projects:  Schieffelin Point Shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborne/Kelbourne Woolens and Falling Water by Rose Beck.  Ideas on no-purl patterns are shared by Pipeliners. Also, Nature Notes, news from Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums and a Ravelry Tip. 

www.knittingpipeline.blogspot.com Inspired by a listener email, I talk about wearing shawls and storing shawls.  In nature notes, it is COLD here and deer are moving through the woods.  Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums is performing in A Grace Family Christmas.  A review of new wool from Quince & Co.  Quince & Co has donated a prize of a scarf of your choice and the wool to make it!  Leave a note in the comment section on the show blog www.knittingpipeline.blogspot.com to get your name in the drawing on December 16th!  A winner is announced for the prize from Rose Beck of Rosy Posy Designs.  A holiday carol from Magnatune Christmas:  James Edwards Sans Day Carol, Sussex Carol, and Deck the Halls.

Reviews of Norwegian Patterns for Knitting by Mette Handberg and Norwegian Handknits: Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim Museum by Sue Flanders and Janine Kosel.  I finished Ruth's Cap from the Norwegian Handknits book.  We continue our garter stitch/no purl pattern suggestions with a prize from Rose Beck of RosyPosy Designs:  3 patterns of your choice.  Also use the code KP2010 to receive $1 off the purchase of two of her patterns through November 30 2010.  Show notes at www.knittingpipeline.blogspot.com. 

Review of Westknits Book One; my finished Hap Blanket by Ysolda Teague, correction to what I said last week about Alma Ella Shawl, and a WIP Pogona by Westknits.  We continue our November topic of garter stitch or stockinette in-the-round pattern suggestions.  A prize of 3 patterns of your choice is being donated by Rose Beck of RosyPosy Designs.  Also use the code KP2010 for $1 off any two patterns by Rose Beck until November 30, 2010.  Music by Dutch Pipes and Drums.   Shoals of Herring, Castle Dangerous, and Collins Cattle.

New garter stitch patterns to share include Schieffelin Point Shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborn, Alma Ella Shawl by RobinLynn, and Elektra by Rosemary Hill.  New to share about Franklin, Knit, and Purl who seem to have flown the coop and information about avian pox, a highly contagious bird flu.  I finished by Flourish Shawl, a pattern by Rose Beck and love it!  A tip from a Pipeliner, SpinningLil, on using a crochet hook to lasso those nupps.  A tune, Downstream, by Shira Kammen from the CD Music of Waters.

This is the full episode of 36 minutes.  The original release cut off at 16 min.  I finished the Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark, my Rip Van Winkle Project.  This pattern gets an A+!  On Saturday  I visited with knitters from the guild in Springfield IL and then spent the afternoon piping at Reformation Days.  I read Pipeliner notes on the ergonomic advantages of knitting the English method.  The episode ends with a tune, The Rose of Kelvingrove, by The Dutch Pipes and Drums.  Show notes at www.knittingpipeline.blogspot.com